Norris’s competitive advantage appeared to be heightened by newcomer Oscar Piastri, who left a significant impression on the grid.
During the F1 Nation Podcast, Damon Hill, Pedro De La Rosa, Natalie Pinkham, and Tom Clarkson shared their insights ahead of the upcoming race season.
Hill expressed worry about the feedback he had received regarding Piastri’s performance during testing. He mentioned McLaren’s hopes of maintaining their strong finish from 2023.
“McLaren will be hoping to carry over their excellent form from the end of 2023 into this year,” Hill stated.
Reflecting on Norris’s remarkable performance, Hill noted, “Lando Norris was only outperformed by Max Verstappen after they introduced their upgrades in Austria, and apart from a few issues in qualifying, he was exceptional.”
Norris’s competitive edge appeared to be enhanced by newcomer Oscar Piastri, who left a notable impression on the grid.
Piastri’s performance in the Qatar Sprint Race received praise, with Ralf Schumacher commenting that he “never makes a mistake.”
Despite McLaren’s improved position compared to a year ago, not all of their problems have been resolved.
Regarding McLaren’s car, De La Rosa remarked, “It didn’t seem like an easy car to drive out there.”
He observed the drivers struggling through corners, particularly highlighting Piastri’s difficulties during short runs.
Responding to De La Rosa’s observations, Hill expressed further concern: “That is a bit worrying.”
While McLaren aims to gain a competitive advantage with unique car components, their historical performance at the Bahrain circuit has not been impressive, with a double DNF in 2004 and no victories.
Hill suggested that it would be more prudent to evaluate McLaren’s position relative to their rivals after the first five races, considering their tendency to introduce upgrades during the season.